2007 Scoring System

The Rally Committee has carefully reviewed and discussed the feedback provided by past participants and the results of the 2006 event.  There were no significant differences in performance between the Basic and Traditional classes so they have been combined.  After much analysis and debate, we have implemented scoring changes for the 2007 Rally as follows:

Begining in 2007, the Rally recognizes two different classes of entries:  Traditional (aka Analog) and Digital.  In 2006, the bonus checkpoints were eliminated.

As in the 2006 Rally, all entrants in all classes compete for the same set of prizes and trophies.  There are some scoring differences between the classes which are noted below by class name.

Bonus Check Points:

An analysis of the race safety concerns disclosed that the Bonus Checkpoints were introducing undesired hazards (because these points were typically more difficult).  So, beginning in 2006 we eliminated the bonus check points.  Previously, using Bonus points, up to 40 bonus points could be accumulated, resulting in a "perfect" score of -40.  Now, a "perfect" race (no time or fuel errors) will score 0 (zero) points. 

2007 Rally Classes:

The Digital Class, new in 2007, allows the use of GPS or other digital navigation aids and the use of digital fuel flow and totalizers.  If it's installed in the aircraft you can use it!  Handheld GPS is also allowed, if you are registered in the Digital Class.

The rally classes will be determined by the pilot's choice of equipment s/he will use during the rally as follows:

Traditional (Analog) Class - Analog instrumentation only.  VORs and ADFs are permitted.  Electronic fuel flow or totalizers are not allowed. This has been the standard equipment allowance in the rally for more than a decade.

Digital Class - Traditional plus the GPS, LORAN and/or DME navigation.   Electronic fuel flow and/or totalizers are permitted.

Scoring

To allow all entrants to compete for the same awards and trophies, regardless of entry class, the committee conducted a detailed analysis of prior rally scores to determine an appropriate scoring offset for each class.  For each class there is an offset (starting or base number of points) and scoring scale for time and fuel.  The premise is that that the more (electronic) help the pilot has, the bigger the offset.  We want to reward pilot skills more than the pilot's ability to punch numbers into the equipment.  We believe that each of these classes can place in the 1st - 4th positions.  But, as you add equipment (and offset points) it is more difficult to do so.

The fundamental time and fuel scoring rules are unchanged from recent rallies. The difference in this rally will be the Offset Points which are established according to the Rally Class in which you choose to participate and additional time and fuel points for the Digital Class as follows:

Traditional:	Offset:	0 points
	Time:	1 point per second error from estimate
	Fuel:	3 points per 0.1% error from estimate
		A Rally flown with no errors would get a score of 0.
Glass:	Offset:	50 Points
	Time:	3 points per second error from estimate
	Fuel:	1.5 x (3 points per 0.1% error from estimate)
		A Rally flown with no errors would get a score of 50

For those looking carefully at the scoring rules to decide which class to enter, consider the following.  Over the last 10 years of scoring data, the average winning score was about 30 points.  Now that we've taken away the bonus points, that would be more like 70 points (40 points added back in).  That means that a 50 point score (under the 2007 rules) is very much a first place score.  Don't be afraid of entering in the Digital Class.

Each rally team will be required to specify their rally class at aircraft impound, prior to receiving the rally book containing the course information.

This is a summary of the changes being implemented.  The official rules governing the rally have been updated with these changes.

The scoring system has changed a bit over the many years this rally has been flown.  A brief summary of those changes may be found here.

---

The winning aircraft will be determined by the following formula:

1. Time errors will accumulate at the rate of:

Traditional:    one point for each second off estimate

Digital:    three points for each second off estimate

2. Fuel errors will accumulate at the rate of:

        Traditional:    three points for each 1/10th of a percent off estimate

        Digital:      1.5 x (three points for each 1/10th of a percent off estimate)

3. Penalty points will be assessed for failure to pass and identify any and all checkpoints designated by the committee.

4. Penalty points may be assessed at the discretion of the committee for offenses such as: violation of TCA (Class B Airspace), illegible rally numbers or flight practices resulting in hazards to other aircraft.

5. Digital Class entrants will have 50 points added to their score.

6. Time, fuel, and penalty error points will be added, with the lowest total points being considered the winner.

Time will be calculated from take-off signal (to be explained in the pilots handbook) at Hayward to the airborne timing point near Bakersfield and from the take-off signal at Bakersfield to the airborne timing point near Palm Springs.

No "time-off" will be given by the tower. Every pilot is responsible for their own time off. Pilots are advised to consider taxi time to all points, plus fuel consumed between passing the airborne timing point and landing.

Scoring Example - An entrant declares the following pre-flight estimates for each flight leg: 

• Estimates:
• Leg 1- 2hr 00min 00sec and 18.0 gallons fuel.
• Leg 2- 2hr 15min 00sec and 20.0 gallons fuel.

• Actual Performance:
• The actual enroute times and fuel burn for this hypothetical example were:
• Leg 1 - 01:59:30 with 17.5 gallons, and 
• Leg 2 - 02:16:00 with 20.5 gallons.
• One mandatory checkpoint was missed on the second leg.

• Time Scoring:
• Traditional Class:
• Leg 1 is 30 seconds early for 30 points 
• Leg 2 is 60 seconds late for 60 points
• Digital Class:
• Leg 1 is 30 seconds early 90 points
• Leg 2 is 60 seconds late for 180 points

• Fuel Scoring:
  • Traditional:
  • Leg 1 is 0.5 gallons (2.8%) over-estimate error, worth 83 points.
  • Leg 2 is 0.5 gallons (2.5%) under-estimate error, worth 75 points.
  • Digital:
  • Leg 1 is 0.5 gallons (2.8%) over-estimate error, worth 1.5*83= 125 points.
  • Leg 2 is 0.5 gallons (2.5%) under-estimate error, worth 1.5*75= 113 points.
• Checkpoints:
  • One mandatory checkpoint missed on second leg is 250 points
• Leg Scores:
• Traditional Class:
• Total Leg 1 (30 for time) + (83 for fuel) ) = 113 points
• Total Leg 2 (60 for time) + (75 for fuel) + (250 for missed mandatory checkpoint)  = 385 points
• Digital Class:
• Total Leg 1 (90 for time) + (125 for fuel) ) = 215 points
• Total Leg 2 (180 for time) + (113 for fuel) + (250 for missed mandatory checkpoint)  = 543 points
• Final Score:
• Total Cumulative Score for a Traditional Class (113+385+0) entrant: 498 points
• Total Cumulative Score for a Digital Class (215+543+50) entrant: 808 points

All aircraft scores are then ranked in order of penalty points accumulated.